Cabbage plants are a cool-season, biennial vegetable that can be grown in a variety of climates. They are a member of the Brassicaceae family and are closely related to broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and kohlrabi. Cabbage plants require full sun and rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. They are usually direct-seeded into the garden in early spring and can be harvested in late summer or early fall. Cabbage plants are susceptible to a variety of pests, including aphids, cabbage loopers, and flea beetles, so it is important to practice good pest management.
Planning Your Garden With Cabbage
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Cabbage is an annual. |
| USDA Zone | The USDA Hardiness Zone range for cabbage is 3-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Cabbage is frost-tolerant and can withstand temperatures as low as 20. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest for cabbage is usually around 60-90 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown cabbage plant is about 12-18 inches in diameter and 12-24 inches in height. |
| Spacing requirements | Cabbage plants should be spaced 12-18 inches apart in rows that are 24-36 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Cabbage is a sun-loving vegetable, and it can tolerate direct sunlight for several hours a day. However, in hot climates, it is best to provide some shade during the hottest part of the day for optimal growth. |
| Shade tolerance | Cabbage is a shade tolerant crop and can tolerate partial shade. It is best to provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth. |
| Water requirements | Ideal water requirements for growing cabbage depend on the climate and soil type. Generally, cabbage plants require 1-2 inches of water per week during the growing season, either from rainfall or irrigation. In areas with hot, dry weather, more frequent watering may be necessary. Soil moisture should be monitored regularly to ensure that the cabbage plants are not stressed from lack of water. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing cabbage depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. Apply 1/2 to 1 pound of fertilizer per 100 square feet of garden space. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing cabbage is 6.0 to 6.8. |
Why Cabbage is Popular
People like to grow cabbage because it is a nutritious vegetable that is easy to grow and can be used in a variety of recipes. Cabbage is also a very hardy vegetable and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and growing conditions. Additionally, cabbage is a great source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and folate, as well as dietary fiber.
Companion Plants For Cabbage
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for cabbage include:
Common Pests For Cabbage
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow cabbage, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- flea beetles
- aphids
- caterpillars
- cabbage loopers
- beetles
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
